I--WRCM 102 PEER CRITIQUE

DEADLINE: 13 JANUARY 2021 BEFORE 2:00 P.M.

Basic Overview
Format: Typed or handwritten answers on peer review worksheet (see below)

Details
You will be paired with a classmate and will work on his or her draft of Essay 1. Your goal is to
help your peer improve the content and organization of the essay, in addition to the clarity of
writing. Follow these steps:
1. First, read over each other’s papers. Use the worksheet below to help you generate good
feedback. Be sure to explain WHY something needs to be improved.
2. Focus on things like content and organization before you worry about editing. Make
sure you can identify the key players, their arguments, the terminology of the
controversy, a relevant history, a clear status quo, and easy-to-follow main ideas.
3. Make sure to highlight two or three things you think your partner has done well and two
or three things that could use improvement. Make sure you offer actual suggestions for
revision (not just “This needs improvement”).
NOTE on giving and receiving feedback:
1. Be courteous and fair.
2. Receive criticism graciously; do not get defensive. EVERYONE, even the best writers,
can benefit from peer-review and revision.

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 PEER CRITIQUE WORKSHEET
Your Name: _______________________________________
Partner’s Name: _____________________________________

Introduction:
Is there an attention getter? Is it successful?
Does it have a clear one-sentence thesis introducing the purpose of this paper? If so,
what is it?
Does it have a clear preview that shows readers the organization of their paper? If so,
what is it?

Body
-Are the paragraphs clear and arranged in an effective manner? Any suggestions for
improvement?
-Are there clear transitions between points? If not, point out where your partner needs to
add in transitions.
-Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence?
-How effective is the organization (main points in logical order)? If not, how would you
suggest improvement?
-Do you feel informed about the history of your peer’s controversy? Is there other
information the audience would need to understand the controversy better?
-Do you understand the status quo of your peer’s controversy? If so, what is the current
status quo? Summarize it for your peer:
-Who are the key players in the controversy? Name them:
-Does the author adequately define key terms for the reader? Are there any places where
you can suggest improvement?

Conclusion
- Does the conclusion recap the thesis and main points?
Does the conclusion have a summarizing statement or a so-what answer?

Research
- What types of sources has the author already consulted and included?
Do you have recommendations for types of sources, information, or evidence you would
like to see?

Style
- Does the author use unbiased, neutral language throughout the essay (use a reporter’s
voice/neutral tone)? Are there places the author could be more objective? Does the
author add in his or her own opinion?
- Are the sentences concise and easy to follow?
- Does the essay flow logically, in an easy-to-follow manner?

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 - Is the paper free of grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors? Mark errors on the
essay and return it to your peer.
II-WRCM 102 CONTROVERSY ANALYSIS SPEECH
Sections O, J, and D
DUE DATES: Starting 18 January 2021
Speeches might have to be recorded beforehand and sent to the instructor. More guidelines will
be given closer to the date.

Basic Overview
Length: 6-7 minutes
Hand in: formal (full sentence) outline.

Details
The bulk of this speech consists of informing your classmates about the main issues and
questions that arise in your controversy.
Organization
-Provide an introduction and give a brief background and short history about your topic.
Carefully choose which details you feel the audience must know to understand the
controversy. Use the history section in Essay 1 to help you.
- Then tell us the current status. Only choose those things you feel your audience should
know.
- The bulk of the speech is about the multiple arguments surrounding your controversy.
o Much of this you will have learned during your research for the history and
current status.
o Discuss how people disagree about the issue. Consider what your audience needs
to know to fully understand the issue.
- Your conclusion should summarize the main points and end with why this matters.

Additional requirements
- Clearly cite at least 4 sources in your speech. The outline should have in-text citations
corresponding to these.
- Organization is key! Ideas can only be stated once; your audience can’t go back and
reread what you have said. You must be clear and concise the first time.
- Write your speech for the ear. Use transitions, summaries, and relate ideas back to the
thesis to help the audience keep on track.
- Produce a visual aid for this speech that appropriately supports, but does not
overshadow, your main points.
Delivery requirements
- This speech must be given within the 6-7 minute window. There is a 30 second grace
period on either side. Speeches falling outside the required length will lose 1 point per
15-second infraction.
- Work on your speaking skills! Think about gestures, tone, transitions, and pace of
speech.
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 - PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! This is for timing as well as internalizing the
ideas.
Written Materials
With this speech you will be expected to turn in a formal full-sentence outline with in-text
citations.

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 III-WRCM 102 ARGUMENTATIVE RESEARCH PAPER

DEADLINE: Wednesday 3 February by 2:00 PM.

Basic Overview
Length: 2000-2500 words or 8-9 double-spaced pages (excluding Works Cited)
Format: Double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman, MLA format

Details
This is the final writing assignment of the Writing and Communication Program. You are
expected to pull together all that you have learned this semester, explaining how your argument
is better than those put forth by others who weigh in on the topic.
The following outline will work for most essays. Note that you will not give these sub-headings
in your essay. Consult the MLA sample paper at OWL Purdue:

Title
Introduction
-Two or three lines of background/introduction
-Thesis statement with essay map/preview of the points to be covered in the body of the
essay. (Remember that you have to clearly give your own point of view and defend it
with evidence in this essay).
Body
-Give a more detailed overview of the controversy. You can use a condensed version of
your informative essay here.
-Give your first major point and the evidence to support it.
-Second major point and evidence
-Third major point and evidence [there must be at least three, though there can be more].
-Opposing points of view [these can take 1-2 paragraphs]
-Refutation of these opposing views using logic and evidence.
[The opposing points and their refutation can also be given along with your major points;
it’s just a difference of organization. Do what suits you best].
Conclusion
-Wrap up the discussion by showing how your evidence proves that your point of view is
more logical and therefore persuasive.
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 IV-WRCM 102 PEECHAKUCHA SPEECH

Due dates: Starting 1 February, 2021

Basic Overview
Format: 4-minute speech, 16-slide PowerPoint presentation

Details
This is the final assignment for WRCM 102, a speech in which you will present some element of
your work that you think is worth sharing. This assignment is NOT a version of your
argumentative research paper. Rather, present ONE of the interesting aspects of your project to
the class. There are five requirements for this speech:
1. You must speak 4 minutes (with 15 second grace periods).
2. You must have a PowerPoint presentation that is 16 slides, each set for 15 seconds. No
slide should have an excessive amount of text. They should be predominantly images.
3. Your PechaKucha must be related to your topic in some way. This can be interpreted
broadly.
4. Your topic must be interesting.
5. You must practice good public speaking skills (gestures, body language, eye contact,
tone, vocal variation, etc.).
Beyond these five requirements, you may do whatever you like.

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 V-WRCM 102 FINAL PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENT

Due on 12 February, 2021

Details
Submit an electronic or hard copy of the following in a folder with your name on it:
1. All drafts of your previous work, even the drafts you did not submit.
2. A self-assessment letter addressed to the instructor that is two pages long and answers
the following questions. Use first person voice and give clear examples.
a. What have you gained from WRCM 102? How do you hope this will help you for
the rest of your time at FCC?
b. How did the assignments help you grow as a writer and speaker? Feel free to
offer suggestions for assignments and why (but do not say get rid of the research
paper and speeches!).
c. How well do you think you performed in this class?